Architectural features of old Xewkija milk plant set to be protected

The Chamber of Architects has welcomed calls for policies that ensure the protection of architectural features.

At the end of October, the parliamentary standing committee for environment met to discuss proposed changes to the Gozo and Comino Local Plan, specifically with respect to the Xewkija Industrial Area in Gozo.

The proposal concerned a large site which the Planning Authority was proposing to re-zone from its current use for ‘Agricultural Products Processing and Market’ to general industrial purposes as part of the Xewkija Enterprise Hub.

While seemingly a run of the mill proposal, the Chamber of Architects noted that the site in question houses the old Gozo MMU Milk Plant, which was designed by renowned architect Joseph Huntingford, and which includes a number of unique architectural elements inspired by the Modernist Movement.

The Committee discussed the possibility of inclusion of a safeguard within the new policy to ensure the protection of those architectural features that merit retention and preservation.

The Chamber of Architects expressed its agreement with the introduction of such a safeguard, particularly in view of the recent destruction of the administration block of the ex-Dowty factory in Mrieħel, which building was also designed in the Modernist Style and which was demolished following approval of such demolition by the Planning Authority.

“Evidently, the appreciation of our architectural heritage from this period is sorely lacking, and therefore the Chamber of Architects exhorts the Minister to consent to the introduction of a safeguard in the policy for the Xewkija Enterprise Hub, such that those elements of the building that merit protection may be integrated within any new development proposal for the site,” the Chamber said.